A degree in animal science brings nearly as many career choices as there are animal species. From food safety to pharmaceutical research, animal scientists have myriad options. Animal science can also serve as a springboard to advanced degrees in veterinary medicine or zoology. On top of abundant job options, animal science majors earn above-average wages. The field's median annual income was $61,230 as of May 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares with the $34,465 median for all jobs.

Veterinary Medicine

Many animal science majors pursue careers in veterinary medicine, including work as a veterinarian, animal nutritionist or animal researcher. Employers include private veterinary clinics, farms and makers of animal food and pharmaceuticals. Some jobs emphasize diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury, while others involve research into how animals respond to foods and medicines. To become a veterinarian, students also need to earn a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from an accredited school. To distinguish your application to med school or for a first job, volunteer to assist professors in the lab or work as a veterinary technician. The outlook for veterinary jobs is strong: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 36 percent gain in employment from 2010 to 2020. The reason is that the number of pets and food animals grows with the human population.

Farming and Agriculture

Farms, ranches and other agricultural businesses need animal-science majors as managers and technicians. Producers of livestock, including cattle, pigs and poultry, also hire animal-science graduates to handle quality control, distribution, customer service and sales and marketing. Plus, processing plants, feedlots, food distributors, breeding companies and even livestock trade publications call on the expertise of animal scientists. Animal-science majors who want to work in farming and agriculture should develop communications skills for customer service, as well as computer skills to handle spreadsheets and database software. Summer internships in agribusiness give students a head start, as well. Farming and agriculture don’t offer strong job opportunities. Employment in the field will drop 8 percent from 2010 to 2020, as farms and ranches go out of business or produce more with fewer workers.

Wildlife Conservation

Graduates can become zoologists, wildlife biologists or conservation officers who protect and support wild animals. Zoologists and wildlife biologists count populations, research threats to animal habitats and run animal-breeding programs. They also coordinate disease-control programs. They may work for state and local agencies, corporate laboratories, wildlife sanctuaries, universities or zoos. Advanced research work often requires a master’s or doctoral degree. Students interested in wildlife conservation can burnish their academic resume with courses in genetics, animal behavior and microbiology. Jobs for zoologists and wildlife biologists will increase 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, as growing population pressures wildlife habitats and creates demand for conservation.

Government

Federal, state and local government agencies hire animal-sciences graduates to fill a variety of jobs. Federal and state departments of agriculture, health, environmental protection and food and drug safety recruit animal scientists to inspect livestock operations and meat and dairy plants. Government-run laboratories that research animal nutrition, health and disease control also need animal scientists. There are jobs in education, as well, with high schools, colleges and university extensions seeking animal-science graduates to teach students and inform the public. To prepare, students should take leadership roles in college groups and build interpersonal skills; they must communicate well when they speak and write.